Farmers Behind Deadly Listeria Outbreak Avoid Prison Time

The cantaloupe farmers who were facing as much as six years in prison and a $1.5 million fine for causing a deadly listeria outbreak that killed 33 and sent 140 to the hospital, instead were given a lower sentence. As reported by NBC News, "a federal court judge in Denver sentenced Eric and Ryan Jensen to five years' probation, six months' house arrest and ordered them to pay $150,000 each in restitution."

According to NBC News, in October, the brothers admitted to introducing "adulterated food" to "interstate commerce" and pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts for their actions in 2011. The Denver Post reported that in the plea agreement the brothers stated that the new equipment that had been purchased for their processing plant, which was supposed to clean, cool, and package the cantaloupes, never actually did employ the chlorine spray. The spray was the one substance which was supposed to be used to clean any bacteria from the fruit. According to the agreement, "The defendants were aware that their cantaloupes could be contaminated with harmful bacteria if not sufficiently washed. The chlorine spray, if used, would have reduced the risk of microbial contamination of the fruit." The Denver Post also reported that the agreement explained that the fruit was also kept in unsanitary conditions.

According to the Denver Post, the Jensens were forced to file for bankruptcy after the outbreak and they pooled their insurance money for the families of the victims. However, the victims families were very upset that the two did not get a harsher sentence. Patricia Hauser told the Denver Post, "I'm very bitter." She and her husband had been planning a trip to China and Russia, but instead her husband was one of the 33 who died. Before his death he spent months deteriorating in intensive care and could not even walk. "I can't believe how ghastly it is to watch someone die," Hauser told theDenver Post. She added, "I bought the cantaloupe and fed it to my husband and he died."